UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hello All

I don't know much about UNIX operating system and
in need of help. I am trying to install Windows Operating System
on a desktop that already has UNIX. When you start the system
it immediately takes me to a GRUB prompt. I tried putting in the
installation disk before starting the computer hoping that it would
boot from the CD and I should be able to install the Operating System,
but that didn't happen. The set of commands that show up when "help" is
entered at the grub prompt did not help much.
Please advise on how I will be able to install Windows operating system
on this desktop using an installation disk.

Thanks
rockbold

If GRUB pops up, then it's booting from the hard drive.

What you need to do is restart, then enter the BIOS. This is accessed by entering a key combination, usually delete, or F1, but it varies. It will usually say something like "Press F1 to enter setup". After that, find the section dealing with boot devices. Make sure that cdrom is FIRST. C is the first hard drive, and A is the floppy. These MUST be after cdrom. Then save the settings to ROM, it will restart. After installing windows, make sure to set it so that C is first in the boot order.

PS. Why would you want to install Windows over Unix?

I just bought a used computer from a friend who used Unix.
However, I have always used Windows and feel more comfortable
using it. Thank you very much for your help.

rockbold

windows will over write the MBR of unix and it will take you directly into windows when you start the machine.. you can't see the GRUB.

I have faced this problem once, always we need to install in the following sequence windows first, second unix and third linux.

Not sure whether we have other solutions, check well before doing the windows installation.

sequence in installation is preferred and the order you had mentioned is a conventional one.
Besides it is not a rule to install in the above mentioned order.

it is true that windows installation after linux installation would overwrite the existing MBR but still you can boot GRUB from windows.